Out and About – Week of July 2nd

Wednesday is the fourth of July, but it’s not the weekend, it’s the middle of the week. This sort of messes up my schedule. It’ll be Wednesday, but it will seem like Saturday. Any way you look at it, Wednesday is a holiday, which means there will be no mail, no newspaper, no trash pickup, and the banks will be closed. Speaking of trash pickup, for some of us, our garbage will be picked up a date later than usual. Most of us won’t remember this, but it’s at least worth a try.

Congratulations are in order for Rick Butler and his staff at Matt and Mike’s Eatery, located at the corner of West Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, in Three Rivers. Last Saturday, June 29, Rick celebrated 25 years of providing a hometown eatery to the citizens of Three Rivers. I asked Rick how many eggs he had cracked open over the years. With a little calculating, he came up with 780,000 eggs. He thought he was closer to one million, but then calculated again and said that he had about six years to go, to reach that figure. I’m wondering how many cups of coffee he has served over the past 25 years. Anyway, the next time you stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, offer your congratulations. It won’t cost you anything, and it will be appreciated for sure.

The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) is having another garage sale in Constantine this Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7. The sale location is at 1035 S. Washington Street, better known as US-131, on the south end of Constantine. If you have items that you’d like to donate, you may drop them off at Beam Sound and Video, 1125 West Michigan Avenue, Three Rivers. You may also contact Lee Ann at (269)718-3826 for arrangements. ARF does so much for the unwanted dogs and cats in St. Joseph County, and all proceeds from fundraisers like this go to help in their care and feeding, until a loving home can be found for them. ARF is always in need of donations for the unwanted cats and dogs in St. Joe County. Food, pet carriers, and bags of cat litter are always appreciated. Stores often have buy one, get one free sales. It’s a great opportunity to help those animals that can’t help themselves.

The Carnegie Center for the Arts and the Riviera Theatre have teamed up once again. This time they are bringing to the stage of the Riviera Theatre Three Men and a Tenor. This most entertaining event takes place Saturday, July 14, at 7:30 P.M. I’m sure that tickets are available at the Riviera Theatre box office. The price of tickets is $15. You may call the Carnegie for more information at (269)273-8882, or call the Riviera box office at (269)278-8068. This is definitely an evening you don’t want to miss.

One of the advantages of living in a community the size of Three Rivers is that there’s always a place for a “Farmer’s Market”. We are so fortunate to have such a down-home thing. Every Saturday, from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M., our own Farmer’s Market is bustling with activity in Scidmore Park. The entrance is on the south side of Michigan Avenue, just west of the railroad tracks. There’s even a sign to make sure you don’t pass it by. If you have any questions, please contact the Three Rivers Public Service Department at (269)273-1845.

This next Sunday, July 8, at 6 P.M., Kline’s Resort will host the Lindley Creek Bluegrass Family Group. They’ll provide some down-home foot-tapping, hand-clapping blue grass music that will keep smiles on the faces of every member of your family. There will be a love offering taken, but other than that, all you’re asked to take with you is some finger food to share and a couple of lawn chairs. Kline’s Resort is located five miles south of Vicksburg, off Silver Street.

I’ve just returned from a ten-day visit to the Republic of South Korea. My time was spent in Busan, attending officer training and the 95th Annual Lions’ Convention. Busan has several large bridges, but none that can compare to Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge. The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It spans five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. It took three years to build and opened to traffic in 1957.

Enjoy the holiday, and remember, “He who comes forth with a fifth on the fourth, may not come forth on the fifth.”